Projection optical system and projector

ABSTRACT

A projection optical system includes a first lens group having negative power and a second and third lens group having positive power, and a first optical path deflector disposed between two lens groups. The first lens group includes three negative lenses. The second lens group includes at least one positive lens. The third lens group includes a plurality of positive lenses. The three negative lenses of the first lens group are each a single lens. The third lens group includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses. f is a focal length of the entire project in optical system, d is a length between two lens groups where the first optical path defector is disposed, Dst is a distortion aberration at a reduction-side maximum image height, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below:
 
0.4&lt; d/f &lt;12.0  (1)
 
−45%&lt; Dst &lt;−10%  (2).

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-120999, filed Jun. 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a projection optical system and a projector including the projection optical system.

2. Related Art

JP-T-2006-523318 describes a projection optical system capable of performing projection on a screen over a short distance to produce a large screen. In the projection optical system described in JP-T-2006-523318, a first optical system relays an image displayed by a light modulator to produce a primary image that is an intermediate image. Further, in the projection optical system, a second optical system produces an enlarged image conjugate with the primary image and projects the enlarged image on the screen.

When the intermediate image is formed in the projection optical system to achieve wide-angle projection, the distortion aberration can be suppressed, but a problem of an increase in the overall length of the optical system occurs.

SUMMARY

A projection optical system according to the present disclosure includes a first lens group having negative power and including three negative lenses, a second lens group having positive power and including at least one positive lens, the second group lens disposed at a reduction side of the first lens, a third lens group having positive power and including a plurality of positive lenses, the third group lens disposed at the reduction side of the second lens, and a first optical path deflector disposed in one of a position between the first lens group and the second lens group and a position between the second lens group and the third lens group, the first optical path deflector configured to defect an optical path. The three negative lenses of the first lens group are each a single lens. The third lens group includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses. f is a focal length of the entire project in optical system, d is a length between two lens groups where the first optical path defector is disposed, Dst is a distortion aberration at a reduction-side maximum image height, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below: 4.0<d/f<12.0  (1) −45%<Dst<−10%  (2).

reduction A projector according to the present disclosure includes the projection optical system described above, a light source and a light modulator disposed in a reduction-side image plane of the projection optical system, the light modulator modulating light emitted from the light source to form a projection image having distortion which corrects a distortion aberration generated in the projection optical system. The projector projects an enlarged image in which the distortion aberration is corrected to a enlargement-side image plane of the projection optical system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector including a projection optical system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a light ray diagram of a projection optical system according to Example 1 including an optical path deflector.

FIG. 3 describes a projection image.

FIG. 4 describes an enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on a screen.

FIG. 5 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is a reference distance.

FIG. 6 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is a far-projection distance.

FIG. 7 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is a near-projection distance.

FIG. 8 is a light ray diagram when two optical path deflectors are disposed in the projection optical system.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a projection optical system according to Example 2.

FIG. 10 describes a projection image.

FIG. 11 describes an enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on a screen.

FIG. 12 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the reference distance.

FIG. 13 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the far-projection distance.

FIG. 14 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the near-projection distance.

FIG. 15 is a light ray diagram of the projection optical system according to Example 2 including a prism.

FIG. 16 is a light ray diagram of a projection optical system according to Example 3 including an optical path deflector.

FIG. 17 describes a projection image.

FIG. 18 describes an enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on a screen.

FIG. 19 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the reference distance.

FIG. 20 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the far-projection distance.

FIG. 21 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system is the near-projection distance.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A projection optical system and a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Projector

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector including a projection optical system 3 according to the present disclosure. The projector 1 includes an image generation optical system 2, which generates a projection image to be projected on a screen S, the projection optical system 3, which enlarges the projection image and projects the enlarged image on the screen S, and a controller 4, which controls the operation of the image generation optical system 2, as shown in FIG. 1.

Image Generation Optical System and Controller

The image generation optical system 2 includes a light source 10, a first optical integration lens 11, a second optical integration lens 12, a polarization converter 13, and a superimposing lens 14. The light source 10 is formed, for example, of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp or a solid-state light source. The first optical integration lens 11 and the second optical integration lens 12 each include a plurality of lens elements arranged in an array. The first optical integration lens 11 divides a light flux from the light source 10 into a plurality of light fluxes. The lens elements of the first optical integration lens 11 focus the light fluxes divided from the light flux from the light source 10 in the vicinities of the lens elements of the second optical integration lens 12.

The polarization converter 13 converts the light from the second optical integration lens 12 into predetermined linearly polarized light. The superimposing lens 14 superimposes images of the lens elements of the first optical integration lens 11 on one another via the second optical integration lens 12 in a display area of each of liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B, which will be described later.

The image generation optical system 2 further includes a first dichroic mirror 15, a reflection mirror 16, a field lens 17R, and the liquid crystal panel 18R. The first dichroic mirror 15 reflects R light that is part of the light rays incident via the superimposing lens 14 and transmits G light and B light that are part of the light rays incident via the superimposing lens 14. The R light reflected off the first dichroic mirror 15 travels via the reflection mirror 16 and the field lens 17R and is incident on the liquid crystal panel 18R. The liquid crystal panel 18R is a light modulator. The liquid crystal panel 18R modulates the R light in accordance with an image signal to form a red projection image.

The image generation optical system 2 further includes a second dichroic mirror 21, a field lens 17G, and the liquid crystal panel 18G. The second dichroic mirror 21 reflects the G light that is part of the light rays via the first dichroic mirror 15 and transmits the B light that is part of the light rays via the first dichroic mirror 15. The G light reflected off the second dichroic mirror 21 travels via the field lens 17G and is incident on the liquid crystal panel 18G. The liquid crystal panel 18G is a light modulator. The liquid crystal panel 18G modulates the G light in accordance with an image signal to form a green projection image.

The image generation optical system 2 further includes a relay lens 22, a reflection mirror 23, a relay lens 24, a reflection mirror 25, a field lens 17B, and the liquid crystal panel 18B. The B light having passed through the second dichroic mirror 21 travels via the relay lens 22, the reflection mirror 23, the relay lens 24, the reflection mirror 25, and the field lens 17B and is incident on the liquid crystal panel 18B. The liquid crystal panel 18B is a light modulator. The liquid crystal panel 18B modulates the B light in accordance with an image signal to form a blue projection image.

The liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B surround three surfaces of a cross dichroic prism 19. The cross dichroic prism 19 is a light combining prism and generates a projection image that is the combination of the light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 18R, the light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 18G, and the light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 18B.

The cross dichroic prism 19 forms part of the projection optical system 3. The projection optical system enlarges the combined projection image from the cross dichroic prism 19 (combination of images formed by liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B) and projects the enlarged projection image on the screen S. The screen S is the enlargement-side conjugate plane of the projection optical system 3.

The controller 4 includes an image processor 6, to which an external image signal, such as a video signal, is inputted, and a display driver 7, which drives the liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B based on image signals outputted from the image processor 6.

The image processor 6 processes the image signal inputted from an external apparatus to generate image signals carrying a predetermined distortion aberration. The image processor 6 converts the image signals carrying a predetermined distortion aberration into image signals containing color grayscales and other factors. The display driver 7 operates the liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B based on the color image signals outputted from the image processor 6. The image processor 6 thus displays projection images corresponding to the image signals on the liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B.

Projection Optical System

The projection optical system 3 will next be described. Examples 1 to 3 will be described below as examples of the configuration of the projection optical system 3 incorporated in the projector 1. In the configuration diagram of the projection optical system in each of Examples, the liquid crystal panels 18R, 18G, and 18B are collectively drawn in the form of a light modulator 18.

Example 1

FIG. 2 is a light ray diagram of a projection optical system according to Example 1 including an optical path deflector. A projection optical system 3A according to the present example is formed of the following components sequentially arranged from the enlargement side: a first lens group LG1 having negative power; a second lens group LG2 having positive power; an aperture stop O; and a third lens group LG3 having positive power. The projection optical system 3A includes 11 lenses in total.

The projection optical system 3A includes an optical path deflector that is disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 and deflects the optical path, as shown in FIG. 2. In the present example, the optical path deflector is a mirror R1. In the projection optical system 3A, the mirror R1 bends an optical axis L by 90° in a position between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2. When the projection distance of the projection optical system 3A is changed, the space between the lens group LG1 and the lens group LG2 is changed for focusing.

The light modulator 18 is located in the reduction-side image plane of the projection optical system 3A. The screen S is located in the enlargement-side image plane of the projection optical system 3A. The projection optical system 3A includes the cross dichroic prism 19 between the light modulator 18 and a reduction-side first lens located in a position closest to the reduction side. The reduction-side first lens is the twelfth lens L12.

The first lens group LG1 is formed of three negative lenses and one positive lens. The three negative lenses are each a single lens. Specifically, the first lens group LG1 is formed of a first lens L1 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, a second lens L2 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, a third lens L3 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, and a fourth lens L4 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side in the vicinity of the optical axis and having positive power. The first lens L1, the second lens L2, the third lens L3, and the fourth lens L4 each have a meniscus shape. The first lens L1 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides. The fourth lens L4 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides.

The second lens group LG2 is formed of a fifth lens L5, a sixth lens L6, a seventh lens L7, and an eighth lens L8. The second lens group LG2 includes at least one positive lens. In the present example, the sixth lens L6 and the eighth lens L8 are each a positive lens. The fifth lens L5, the sixth lens L6, and the seventh lens L7 are bonded to each other to form a first triplet jointed lens SL1. The eighth lens L8 is a single lens. The fifth lens L5 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and has negative power. The sixth lens L6 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The seventh lens L7 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the reduction side and has negative power. The eighth lens L8 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides.

The third lens group LG3 includes a plurality of positive lenses. The third lens group LG3 includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses. Further, the twelfth lens L12, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. In other words, the reduction-side first lens is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. That is, the third lens group LG3 is formed of four lenses, the ninth lens L9, the tenth lens L10, the eleventh lens L11, and the twelfth lens L12. The ninth lens L9 and the eleventh lens L11 are each a positive lens. The eleventh lens L11 along with the tenth lens L10 forms a second jointed lens SL2.

More specifically, the ninth lens L9 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The ninth lens L9 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides. The tenth lens L10 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and has negative power. The eleventh lens L11 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the enlargement side. The twelfth lens L12 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides.

Data on the projection optical system 3A are as follows:

f: 5.18;

FNo: 2.00; and

ω: 67.70,

where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, FNo denotes the f number thereof, and ω denotes the half angle of view thereof.

Data on the lenses of the projection optical system 3A are as follows: The number in the column labeled with “Lens” denotes the reference character with which the lenses of the projection optical system 3A are each labeled. STO denotes the aperture stop O. The number 19 represents the cross dichroic prism. A surface having a surface number with * is an aspheric surface. R denotes the radius of curvature. D denotes the on-axis inter-surface space (mm) and represents the lens thickness or the inter-lens space. nd denotes the refractive index at the d line. νd denotes the Abbe number at the d line. The variable space 1 represents the distance between the screen Sand the first lens L1. The variable space 2 represents the distance between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2. The variable space 1 changes in accordance with the projection distance, and the variable space 2 changes in accordance with the focusing performed when the projection distance is changed.

Surface Lens number R D nd vd  0 Variable space 1 1  1* 126.022 3.00 1.53116 56.0  2* 27.864 10.39 2  3 52.663 1.80 1.83500 43.0  4 17.161 9.24 3  5 173.320 2.00 1.83500 43.0  6 24.920 4.00 4  7* 70.934 3.00 1.53116 56.0  8* 92.441 Variable space 2 5  9 96.864 1.20 1.91082 35.3 6 10 19.559 4.50 1.71736 29.5 7 11 −34.641 1.20 1.85150 40.8 12 −103.445 0.10 8 13 50.565 3.20 1.53172 48.8 14 −71.917 2.00 STO Infinity 24.00 9  16* 52.312 3.50 1.58913 61.2  17* −48.814 0.20 10 18 339.981 1.30 1.84666 23.8 11 19 16.274 5.00 1.49700 81.5 20 85.688 0.20 12 21 30.847 6.20 1.61800 63.3 22 −32.882 3.00 19 23 Infinity 23.00 1.51633 64.1 24 Infinity 3.00

The variable spaces 1 and 2 are set as follows in the focusing performed when the projection distance is changed. The projection distance when the variable space 1, which is the distance between the first lens L1 and the screen S, is 500 mm is defined as a reference distance. The projection distance when the variable space 1 is 1000 mm is defined as a far-projection distance. The projection distance when the variable space 1 is 300 mm is defined as a near-projection distance.

Reference Far-projection Near-projection distance distance distance Variable 400.00 1000.00 200.00 space 1 Variable 31.25 31.10 31.46 space 2

Data on the aspheric surfaces of the first lens L1 labeled with the surface numbers 1 and 2, data on the aspheric surfaces of the fourth lens L4 labeled with the surface numbers 7 and 8, and data on the aspheric surfaces of the ninth lens L9 labeled with the surface numbers 16 and 17 are as follows. The amount of displacement z of an aspheric surface at a height h from the optical axis is expressed by Expression 1 below.

$z = {\frac{c \cdot h^{2}}{1 + \sqrt{1 - {\left( {k + 1} \right){c^{2} \cdot h^{2}}}}} + {A\;{04 \cdot h^{4}}} + {A\;{06 \cdot h^{6}}} + {A\;{08 \cdot h^{8}}} + {A\;{10 \cdot h^{10}}} + {A\;{12 \cdot h^{12}}}}$ where c denotes the curvature, k denotes a conic coefficient, and A04 to A12 denote higher-order aspheric coefficients.

Surface number 1 2 7 8 16 17 k 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 −0.5950 7.8691 A04 1.1753E−05 −6.8775E−06  −4.8632E−05  −4.5036E−05 4.2946E−06 2.8853E−05 A06 −3.3422E−09  4.4761E−08 3.2042E−07  2.6232E−07 1.9810E−07 2.0773E−07 A08 6.1662E−13 −5.9937E−11  −1.2811E−09  −1.5029E−09 −7.6998E−10  −8.1695E−10  A10 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00  1.3924E−12 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 A12 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 Projection Image and Enlarged Image

The projection image formed by the light modulator 18 and the enlarged image generated when the projection optical system 3A projects the projection image will next be described. FIG. 3 describes the projection image. FIG. 3 shows a case where one long edge of the light modulator 18 so sized that the width and height thereof are 12.8 mm and 8 mm is located on an optical axis L of the projection optical system 3A. The thick lines in FIG. 3 conceptually represent the projection image. The thin line in FIG. 3 represents the image display area of the light modulator 18. FIG. 4 describes the enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on the screen S via the projection optical system 3A. The thick lines in FIG. 4 conceptually represent the enlarged image generated when the projection image in FIG. 3 is projected on the screen S. The thin line in FIG. 4 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 projected on the screen S. The chain line in FIG. 4 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 formed when a projection optical system that produces no distortion aberration projects the image display area on the screen S.

The light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3A, as shown in FIG. 3. When the projection optical system 3A projects the projection image on the screen S, an oblong enlarged image having no distortion is formed, as shown in FIG. 4.

The projection image has a shape that allows reduction in trapezoidal distortion of the enlarged image with respect to the ideal oblong image formed on the screen S. That is, the projection image has distortion opposite the trapezoidal distortion of the enlarged image. The projection image is therefore so formed that the shortest edge thereof is the edge having the largest image height on the screen S. That is, the projection image is compressed at the maximum image height in a lower portion of the image display area of the light modulator 18. The projection image has no field curvature. When the projection optical system that produces no distortion is used to project the projection image on the screen S, the image is undesirably smaller than an image formed when the projection optical system 3A according to the present example is used to project the projection image, as indicated by the chain line in FIG. 4. The projection optical system 3A according to the present example can therefore generate a larger enlarged image on the screen S than the enlarged image formed by the projection optical system that has the same focal length but produces no distortion aberration.

The projection optical system 3A according to the present example satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below: 0.4<d/f<12.0  (1) −45%<Dst<−10%  (2) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, d denotes the space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2, and Dst denotes the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height.

The space d between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the air space between the fourth lens L4 and the fifth lens L5. Further, the space d between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the value when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3A is the reference distance. In the present example, d=31.25 and f=5.18 are satisfied. d/f=6.03 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied. In the present example, since the air space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 satisfies Conditional Expression (1), the optical path deflector, such as the mirror R1, is readily disposed in the projection optical system 3A to deflect the optical path, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, in the present example, since the Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied, an increase in the size of the projection optical system 3A can be suppressed even when the mirror R1 is disposed in the projection optical system 3A.

That is, when d/f in Conditional Expression (1) is smaller than the lower limit, it is difficult to ensure a space large enough to accommodate the optical path deflector. On the other hand, when d/f in Conditional Expression (1) is greater than the upper limit, a redundant space is formed in the projection optical system 3A, and the entire optical system tends to be longer. Further, when the air space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 increases in such away that d/f in Conditional Expression (1) is greater than the upper limit, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the first lens group LG1, resulting in an increase in the size of the first lens group LG1.

Further, in the present example, Dst=−30.0% is satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (2) is satisfied. In the present example, since the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height satisfies Conditional Expression (2), deterioration of the quality of the enlarged image can be avoided or suppressed. Further, the diameter of the first lens L1 can be reduced, and the number of lenses that form the projection optical system 3A can be reduced.

That is, when Dst in Conditional Expression (2) is smaller than the lower limit so that the amount of negative distortion aberration on the reduction side increases, the amount of distortion of the projection image is too large. The quality of the enlarged image therefore deteriorates. On the other hand, when Dst in Conditional Expression (2) is greater than the upper limit so that the amount of negative distortion aberration on the reduction side decreases, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the first lens L1 and increase the number of lenses that form the projection optical system 3A. As a result, the size of the projection optical system 3A increases. Further, the manufacturing cost of the projection optical system 3A increases.

In the present example, the projection image is compressed at the maximum image height in a lower portion of the image display area of the light modulator 18. The amount of information on the image in the lower portion of the image display area of the light modulator 18 is therefore smaller than the amount of information on the original image. As a result, the quality of the enlarged image deteriorates on the screen S. To solve the problem described above, when the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height satisfies Conditional Expression (2), an excessive decrease in the amount of information on the projection image from the amount of information on the original image can be avoided. The deterioration of the enlarged image on the screen S can therefore be suppressed. When the projector 1 projects, for example, a movie, and captions or any other information is displayed in a portion close to the optical axis on the screen S, that is, in a lower portion of the enlarged image, a decrease in the resolution is small. The captions are therefore legible.

In the present example, the first lens group LG1 includes three negative lenses. The negative lenses are each a single lens. The projection optical system 3A can therefore have a sufficient back focal length and a flat enlargement-side image plane while producing a distortion aberration that falls within the range expressed by Conditional Expression (2).

The projection optical system 3A according to the present example next satisfies Conditional Expressions (3) and (4) below: 1.5<|f1/f|<2.5  (3) 0.2<|f1/f23|<0.6  (4) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, f1 denotes the focal length of the first lens group LG1, and f23 denotes the combined focal length of the combination of the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f1=−10.191 is satisfied. |f1/f|=1.97 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (3) is satisfied. Further, in the present example, f23=33.349 is satisfied. |f1/f23|=0.31 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (4) is satisfied.

In the present example, the combined focal length of the combination of the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3 satisfies Conditional Expression (4), and the focal length of the entire optical system and the focal length of the first lens group LG1 satisfy Conditional Expression (3). The projection optical system 3A can therefore correct comma and field curvature with the distortion aberration maintained at a desired value. Further, the projection optical system 3A can ensure a sufficient back focal length while having a wide angle of view. The cross dichroic prism 19 is therefore readily disposed.

That is, when |f1/f| in Conditional Expression (3) is smaller than the lower limit, the focal length of the first lens group LG1 is shorter than the focal length of the entire optical system. As a result, the power of each of the negative lenses of the first lens group LG1 increases, and it is therefore difficult to correct comma and field curvature in a well-balanced manner with the distortion aberration maintained at a desired value. On the other hand, when |f1/f| in Conditional Expression (3) is greater than the upper limit, the focal length of the first lens group LG1 is longer than the focal length of the entire optical system. As a result, the negative power of the first lens group LG1 is too small, and it is therefore difficult to increase the angle of view of the projection optical system 3A and ensure a sufficient back focal length.

The projection optical system 3A further satisfies Conditional Expression (5) below: 4.0<f2/f<12.0  (5) where f2 denotes the focal length of the second lens group LG2.

In the present example, f2=45.983 is satisfied. f2/f=8.88 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (5) is satisfied. In the present example, Conditional Expression (5) is satisfied, whereby comma and astigmatism can be corrected in a well-balanced manner. That is, when f2/f in Conditional Expression (5) is smaller than the lower limit, the positive power of the second lens group LG2 is too large, and it is therefore difficult to correct comma and astigmatism in a well-balanced manner. When f2/f in Conditional Expression (5) is greater than the upper limit, the positive power of the second lens group LG2 is too small. As a result, the burden on the positive power of the third lens group LG3 undesirably increases, so that a variety of aberrations are likely to occur.

In the present example, the twelfth lens L12, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. In the present example, Conditional Expression (6) below is satisfied: 3.0<f3/f<8.0  (6) where f3 denotes the focal length of the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f3=29.010 is satisfied. f3/f=5.60 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (6) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3A satisfies Conditional Expression (6) and therefore readily ensures a sufficient back focal length and a reduction-side numerical aperture for capturing the light flux from the light modulator 18.

FIG. 5 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3A is the reference distance. FIG. 6 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3A is the far-projection distance. FIG. 7 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3A is the near-projection distance. In each of the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 5 to 7, the right figure is a distortion aberration diagram, the middle figure is an astigmatism diagram, and the left figure is a spherical aberration diagram. The spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion aberration are satisfactorily corrected in the projection optical system 3A, as shown in the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 5 to 7.

The projection optical system 3A according to the present example forms no intermediate image therein and permits occurrence of the distortion aberration. The size of the projection optical system 3A can therefore be reduced. On the other hand, the light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3A. The projector 1 can therefore project an enlarged image having a suppressed distortion aberration.

In the projection optical system 3A according to the present example, the mirror R1 or any other component may be disposed as a first optical path deflector in a position between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3 instead of a position between the first lens group LG1 and the third lens group LG2. The air space d between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3 is 26.0. d/f=5.02 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied. In the present example, the air space between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3 satisfies Conditional Expression (1).

In the projection optical system 3A according to the present example, not only may the first optical path deflector be disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2, but a second optical path deflector may be disposed between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3. FIG. 8 is a light ray diagram when the first and second optical path deflectors are disposed in the projection optical system 3A. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the mirror R1 is provided as the first optical path deflector, and a second mirror R2 is provided as the second optical path deflector. The second mirror R2 is disposed between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3.

That is, in the projection optical system 3A, the air space between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3 is 24 mm, which is a long air space. The second mirror R2 is therefore readily disposed between the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3. Since the projection optical system 3A includes the mirror R1 and the second mirror R2, the optical path can be bent by 180° in the projection optical system 3A. The direction of the light reflected off the mirror R1 may be so changed that the first lens group LG1 is opposite the third lens group LG3 with respect to the second lens group LG2 sandwiched therebetween.

Example 2

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the projection optical system according to Example 2. A projection optical system 3B according to the present example is formed of the following components sequentially arranged from the enlargement side: a first lens group LG1 having negative power; a second lens group LG2 having positive power; an aperture stop O; and a third lens group LG3 having positive power. The projection optical system 3B includes 9 lenses in total.

The projection optical system 3B includes an optical path deflector that is disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 and deflects the optical path, as shown in FIG. 9. The optical path deflector is a prism block P. The light modulator 18 is located in the reduction-side image plane of the projection optical system 3B. The screen S is located in the enlargement-side image plane of the projection optical system 3B. The projection optical system 3B includes the cross dichroic prism 19 between the light modulator 18 and a reduction-side first lens located in a position closest to the reduction side. The reduction-side first lens is the ninth lens L9. When the projection distance of the projection optical system 3B is changed, the space between the lens group LG1 and the lens group LG2 is changed for focusing.

The first lens group LG1 is formed of three negative lenses. The three negative lenses are each a single lens. That is, the first lens group LG1 is formed of a first lens L1 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, a second lens L2 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, and a third lens L3 having a convex surface facing the reduction side and having negative power. The first lens L1, the second lens L2, and the third lens L3 each have a meniscus shape. In the present example, the first lens L1 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides.

The second lens group LG2 is formed of three lenses, a fourth lens L4, a fifth lens L5, and a sixth lens L6. The second lens group LG2 includes at least one positive lens. In the present example, the fourth lens L4 and the fifth lens L5 are each a positive lens. The fourth lens L4 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The fifth lens L5 and the sixth lens L6 are bonded to each other to form a first jointed lens SL1. The fifth lens L5 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The sixth lens L6 has a concave shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides and has negative power.

The third lens group LG3 includes a plurality of positive lenses. The third lens group LG3 includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses. Further, the ninth lens L9, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. In other words, the reduction-side first lens is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side.

More specifically, the third lens group LG3 is formed of three lenses, the seventh lens L7, the eighth lens L8, and the ninth lens L9. The seventh lens L7 and the ninth lens L9 are each a positive lens. The seventh lens L7 along with the eighth lens L8 forms a second jointed lens SL2. The seventh lens L7 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The eighth lens L8 has a concave surface facing the enlargement side and has negative power. The ninth lens L9 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The ninth lens L9 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides.

Data on the projection optical system 3B are as follows:

f: 5.18;

FNo: 2.00; and

ω: 67.40,

where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, FNo denotes the f number thereof, and ω denotes the half angle of view thereof.

Data on the lenses of the projection optical system 3B are as follows.

Surface Lens number R D nd vd  0 Variable space 1 1  1* 566.207 3.00 1.53116 56.0  2* 27.748 9.77 2  3 60.640 1.80 1.85150 40.8  4 15.564 11.35 3  5 −43.254 2.00 1.84666 23.8  6 −305.669 Variable space 2  7 Infinity 45.00 1.51633 64.1  8 Infinity 2.00 4  9 33.199 3.80 1.62004 36.3 10 739.014 0.10 5 11 23.847 3.68 1.80518 25.4 6 12 −69.862 1.20 1.85150 40.8 13 25.546 2.00 STO Infinity 12.02 7 15 33.473 8.00 1.49700 81.5 8 16 −12.868 1.30 1.85896 22.7 17 −267.095 4.02 9  18* 27.946 9.00 1.49700 81.5  19* −14.863 3.00 19 20 Infinity 23.00 1.51633 64.1 21 Infinity 3.00

The variable spaces 1 and 2 are set as follows in the focusing performed when the projection distance is changed.

Reference Far-projection Near-projection distance distance distance Variable 400.00 1000.00 200.00 space 1 Variable 3.24 3.10 3.46 space 2

Data on the aspheric surfaces of the first lens L1 labeled with the surface numbers 1 and 2 and data on the aspheric surfaces of the ninth lens L9 labeled with the surface numbers 18 and 19 are as follows.

Surface number 1 2 18 19 k 0.0000 0.0000 −5.7661 −0.5864 A04 1.3857E−05 −8.5468E−06  −1.8813E−06  3.3312E−05 A06 −7.4869E−09  4.2432E−08 4.8186E−09 −3.6921E−08  A08 3.7381E−12 −6.1728E−11  −7.3622E−12  9.3453E−11 A10 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 A12 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 Projection Image and Enlarged Image

FIG. 10 describes the projection image. The thick lines in FIG. 9 conceptually represent the projection image. The thin line in FIG. 10 represents the image display area of the light modulator 18. FIG. 11 describes the enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on the screen S via the projection optical system 3B. The thick lines in FIG. 11 conceptually represent the enlarged image generated when the projection image in FIG. 10 is projected on the screen S. The thin line in FIG. 11 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 projected on the screen S. The chain line in FIG. 11 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 formed when a projection optical system that produces no distortion aberration projects the image display area on the screen S.

Also in the present example, the light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3B, as shown in FIG. 10. When the projection optical system 3B projects the projection image on the screen S, an oblong enlarged image having no distortion is formed, as shown in FIG. 11. The projection image is compressed at the maximum image height in a lower portion of the image display area of the light modulator 18. The projection image has no field curvature. The projection optical system 3B according to the present example can generate a larger enlarged image on the screen S than the enlarged image formed by the projection optical system that has the same focal length but produces no distortion aberration, as indicated by the chain line in FIG. 11.

The projection optical system 3B according to the present example satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below: 0.4<d/f<12.0  (1) −45%<Dst<−10%  (2) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, d denotes the space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2, and Dst denotes the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height.

The space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the sum of the air space between the first lens L1 and the prism block P, the thickness of the prism block P, and the air space between the prism block P and the second lens group L2. Further, the space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the value when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3B is the reference distance. In the present example, d=50.240 and f=5.18 are satisfied. d/f=9.70 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied. Therefore, in the projection optical system 3B, the prism block P is readily disposed in the projection optical system 3B to deflect the optical path. Further, an increase in the size of the projection optical system 3B can be suppressed even when the optical path deflector is disposed in the projection optical system 3B.

Further, in the present example, Dst=−29.0% is satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (2) is satisfied. In the present example, since the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height satisfies Conditional Expression (2), deterioration of the quality of the enlarged image can be avoided or suppressed. Further, the diameter of the first lens L1 can be reduced, and the number of lenses that form the projection optical system 3B can be reduced.

Further, in the present example, the first lens group LG1 includes three negative lenses. The negative lenses are each a single lens. The projection optical system 3B can therefore have a sufficient back focal length and a flat enlargement-side image plane while producing a distortion aberration that approximately falls within the range expressed by Conditional Expression (2).

The projection optical system 3B according to the present example next satisfies Conditional Expressions (3) and (4) below: 1.5<|f1/f|<2.5  (3) 0.2<|f1/f23|<0.6  (4) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, f1 denotes the focal length of the first lens group LG1, and f23 denotes the combined focal length of the combination of the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f1=−10.117 is satisfied. |f1/f|=1.95 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (3) is satisfied. Further, in the present example, f23=34.927 is satisfied. |f1/f23|=0.29 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (4) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3B can therefore correct comma and field curvature with the distortion aberration maintained at a desired value. Further, the projection optical system 3B can ensure a sufficient back focal length while having a wide angle of view. The cross dichroic prism 19 is therefore readily disposed.

The projection optical system 3B further satisfies Conditional Expression (5) below: 4.0<f2/f<12.0  (5) where f2 denotes the focal length of the second lens group LG2.

In the present example, f2=44.502 is satisfied. f2/f=8.59 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (5) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3B can therefore correct comma and astigmatism in a well-balanced manner.

In the present example, the ninth lens L9, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. In the present example, Conditional Expression (6) below is satisfied: 3.0<f3/f<8.0  (6) where f3 denotes the focal length of the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f3=25.500 is satisfied. f3/f=4.92 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (6) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3B therefore readily ensures a sufficient back focal length and a reduction-side numerical aperture for capturing the light flux from the light modulator.

The light rays that enter the prism block P are refracted at the light incident surface of the prism block P. The projection optical system 3B therefore readily suppresses an increase in the diameter of the first lens group LG1 as compared with a case where no prism block P is provided between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2.

FIG. 12 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3B is the reference distance. FIG. 13 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3B is the far-projection distance. FIG. 14 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3B is the near-projection distance. In each of the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 12 to 14, the right figure is a distortion aberration diagram, the middle figure is an astigmatism diagram, and the left figure is a spherical aberration diagram. The spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion aberration are satisfactorily corrected in the projection optical system 3B, as shown in the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 12 to 14.

The projection optical system 3B according to the present example forms no intermediate image therein and permits occurrence of the distortion aberration. The size of the projection optical system 3B can therefore be reduced. On the other hand, the light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3B. The projector 1 can therefore project an enlarged image having a suppressed distortion aberration.

A description will next be made of a case where a triangular prism is used as the optical path deflector. FIG. 15 is a light ray diagram when a triangular prism P1 is disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2. The triangular prism P1 has a first reflection surface M1 and a second reflection surface M2. Therefore, in the present example, the thus disposed triangular prism P1 reverses the optical path by 180° in the projection optical system 3B.

When the triangular prism P1 is disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2, the first lens group LG1, which is located on the enlargement side of the triangular prism P1, and the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG32, which are located on the reduction side of the triangular prism P1, are allowed to approach to each other. The size of the projection optical system 3B can therefore be reduced.

Example 3

FIG. 16 is a light ray diagram of a projection optical system according to Example 3 including an optical path deflector. A projection optical system 3C according to the present example is formed of the following components sequentially arranged from the enlargement side: a first lens group LG1 having negative power; a second lens group LG2 having positive power; an aperture stop O; and a third lens group LG3 having positive power. The projection optical system 3C includes 9 lenses in total.

The projection optical system 3C includes an optical path deflector that is disposed between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 and deflects the optical path, as shown in FIG. 16. In the present example, the optical path deflector is a mirror R1. In the projection optical system 3C, the mirror R1 bends an optical axis L by 90° in a position between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2.

The light modulator 18 is located in the reduction-side image plane of the projection optical system 3C. The screen S is located in the enlargement-side image plane of the projection optical system 3C. The projection optical system 3C includes the cross dichroic prism 19 between the light modulator 18 and a reduction-side first lens located in a position closest to the reduction side. The reduction-side first lens is the ninth lens L9. When the projection distance of the projection optical system 3C is changed, the space between the lens group LG1 and the lens group LG2 is changed for focusing.

The first lens group LG1 includes three negative lenses. The three negative lenses are each a single lens. That is, the first lens group LG1 is formed of a first lens L1 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, a second lens L2 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power, and a third lens L3 having a convex surface facing the enlargement side and having negative power. The first lens L1, the second lens L2, and the third lens L3 each have a meniscus shape. In the present example, the first lens L1 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides.

The second lens group LG2 is formed of a fourth lens L4. The fourth lens L4 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides and has positive power.

The third lens group LG3 includes a plurality of positive lenses. The third lens group LG3 includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses. Further, the ninth lens L9, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. In other words, the reduction-side first lens is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side.

That is, the third lens group LG3 is formed of five lenses, the fifth lens L5, the sixth lens L6, the seventh lens L7, the eighth lens L8, and the ninth lens L9. The fifth lens L5, the seventh lens L7, and the ninth lens L9 are each a positive lens. The fifth lens L5 and the sixth lens L6 form a first jointed lens SL1. The seventh lens L7 is a single lens. The eighth lens L8 and the ninth lens L9 form a second jointed lens SL2.

More specifically, the fifth lens L5 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The sixth lens L6 has a concave shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides and has negative power. The seventh lens L7 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The eighth lens L8 has a concave shape on the enlargement side and has negative power. The eighth lens L8 has a meniscus shape. The ninth lens L9 has a convex shape both on the enlargement and reduction sides. The seventh lens L7 has aspheric surfaces on opposite sides.

Data on the projection optical system 3C are as follows:

f: 5.18;

FNo: 2.00; and

ω: 67.80,

where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, FNo denotes the f number thereof, and ω denotes the half angle of view thereof.

Data on the lenses of the projection optical system 3C are as follows.

Surface Lens number R D nd vd  0 Variable space 1 1  1* −1870.676 3.000 1.53116 56.0  2* 35.715 5.273 2  3 35.434 1.800 1.85150 40.8  4 17.506 9.902 3  5 268.58 2.000 1.85150 40.8  6 19.203 Variable space 2 4  7 32.593 3.000 1.76182 26.5  8 −147.321 9.855 STO  9 Infinity 6.000 5 10 55.508 5.500 1.48749 70.2 6 11 −12.367 2.000 1.85150 40.8 12 37.029 2.000 7  13* 25.729 6.600 1.49700 81.5  14* −16.342 0.100 8 15 52.528 1.000 1.85896 22.7 9 16 22.684 8.000 1.49700 81.5 17 −21.453 3.000 19 18 Infinity 23.000  1.51633 64.1 11 19 Infinity 2.998

The variable spaces 1 and 2 are set as follows in the focusing performed when the projection distance is changed.

Reference Far-projection Near-projection distance distance distance Variable 400.00 1000.00 200.00 space 1 Variable 36.066 35.962 36.265 space 2

Data on the aspheric surfaces of the first lens L1 labeled with the surface numbers 1 and 2 and data on the aspheric surfaces of the seventh lens L7 labeled with the surface numbers 13 and 14 are as follows.

Surface number 1 2 18 19 k −1.0000 0.0000 −3.4078 −1.7863 A04 1.9172E−05 3.9061E−06 −3.2265E−05  −2.7256E−05  A06 −1.7116E−08  2.9215E−08 1.3933E−07 −2.6737E−08  A08 1.2240E−11 −5.7492E−11  −3.1067E−10  1.1708E−10 A10 −3.9460E−15  8.1749E−15 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 A12 1.3529E−19 1.6156E−17 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 Projection Image and Enlarged Image

FIG. 17 describes the projection image. The thick lines in FIG. 17 conceptually represent the projection image. The thin line in FIG. 17 represents the image display area of the light modulator 18. FIG. 18 describes the enlarged image generated when the projection image is projected on the screen S via the projection optical system 3C. The thick lines in FIG. 18 conceptually represent the enlarged image generated when the projection image in FIG. 17 is projected on the screen S. The thin line in FIG. 18 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 projected on the screen S. The chain line in FIG. 18 conceptually represents the image display area of the light modulator 18 formed when a projection optical system that produces no distortion aberration projects the image display area on the screen S.

Also in the present example, the light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3C, as shown in FIG. 17. When the projection optical system 3C projects the projection image on the screen S, an oblong enlarged image having no distortion is formed, as shown in FIG. 18. The projection image is compressed at the maximum image height in a lower portion of the image display area of the light modulator 18. The projection image has no field curvature. The projection optical system 3C according to the present example can generate a larger enlarged image on the screen S than the enlarged image formed by the projection optical system that has the same focal length but produces no distortion aberration, as indicated by the chain line in FIG. 18.

The projection optical system 3C according to the present example satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below: 0.4<d/f<12.0  (1) −45%<Dst<−10%  (2) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, d denotes the space between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2, and Dst denotes the distortion aberration at the reduction-side maximum image height.

The space d between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the air space between the third lens L3 and the fourth lens L4. Further, the space d between the first lens group LG1 and the second lens group LG2 is the value when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3C is the reference distance. In the present example, d=36.066 and f=5.18 are satisfied. d/f=6.96 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied. An optical path deflector, such as the mirror R1, is therefore readily disposed in the projection optical system 3C to deflect the optical path. Further, since Conditional Expression (1) is satisfied in the present example, an increase in the size of the projection optical system 3C can be suppressed even when the mirror R1 is disposed in the projection optical system 3C.

Further, in the present example, Dst=−30.0% is satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (2) is satisfied. Therefore, in the projection optical system 3C, deterioration of the quality of the enlarged image can be avoided or suppressed. Further, the diameter of the first lens L1 can be reduced, and the number of lenses that form the projection optical system 3C can be reduced.

Further, in the present example, the first lens group LG1 includes three negative lenses. The negative lenses are each a single lens. The projection optical system 3C can therefore have a sufficient back focal length and a flat enlargement-side image plane while producing a distortion aberration that approximately falls within the range expressed by Conditional Expression (2).

The projection optical system 3C according to the present example next satisfies Conditional Expressions (3) and (4) below: 1.5<|f1/f|<2.5  (3) 0.2<|f1/f23|<0.6  (4) where f denotes the focal length of the entire optical system, f1 denotes the focal length of the first lens group LG1, and f23 denotes the combined focal length of the combination of the second lens group LG2 and the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f1=−9.571 is satisfied. |f1/f|=1.85 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (3) is satisfied. Further, in the present example, f23=33.859 is satisfied. |f1/f23|=0.28 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (4) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3C can therefore correct comma and field curvature with the distortion aberration maintained at a desired value. Further, the projection optical system 3C can ensure a sufficient back focal length while having a wide angle of view. The cross dichroic prism 19 is therefore readily disposed.

The projection optical system 3C further satisfies Conditional Expression (5) below: 4.0<f2/f<12.0  (5) where f2 denotes the focal length of the second lens group LG2.

In the present example, f2=35.010 is satisfied. f2/f=6.76 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (5) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3C can therefore correct comma and astigmatism in a well-balanced manner.

In the present example, the ninth lens L9, which is located in a position closest to the reduction side in the third lens group LG3, is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side. The projection optical system 3C satisfies Conditional Expression (6) below: 3.0<f3/f<8.0  (6) where f3 denotes the focal length of the third lens group LG3.

In the present example, f3=25.429 is satisfied. f3/f=4.91 is therefore satisfied, so that Conditional Expression (6) is satisfied. The projection optical system 3C therefore readily ensures a sufficient back focal length and a reduction-side numerical aperture for capturing the light flux from the light modulator.

FIG. 19 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3C is the reference distance. FIG. 20 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3C is the far-projection distance. FIG. 21 is an aberration diagram when the projection distance of the projection optical system 3C is the near-projection distance. In each of the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 19 to 21, the right figure is a distortion aberration diagram, the middle figure is an astigmatism diagram, and the left figure is a spherical aberration diagram. The spherical aberration, astigmatism, and distortion aberration are satisfactorily corrected in the projection optical system 3C, as shown in the aberration diagrams of FIGS. 19 to 21.

The projection optical system 3C according to the present example forms no intermediate image therein and permits occurrence of the distortion aberration. The size of the projection optical system. 3C can therefore be reduced. On the other hand, the light modulator 18 forms a projection image having distortion that corrects the distortion aberration produced by the projection optical system 3C. The projector 1 can therefore project an enlarged image having a suppressed distortion aberration. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A projection optical system comprising: a first lens group having negative power and including three negative lenses; a second lens group having positive power and including at least one positive lens, the second lens group disposed at a reduction side of the first lens group; a third lens group having positive power and including a plurality of positive lenses, the third lens group disposed at a reduction side of the second lens group; and a first optical path deflector disposed in one of a position between the first lens group and the second lens group and a position between the second lens group and the third lens group, the first optical path deflector configured to defect an optical path, wherein the three negative lenses of the first lens group are each a single lens, the third lens group includes a jointed lens including at least one of the plurality of positive lenses, and f is a focal length of the entire projection optical system, d is a length between two lens groups where the first optical path defector is disposed, Dst is a distortion aberration at a reduction-side maximum image height, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) below: 4.0<d/f<12.0  (1) −45%<Dst<−10%  (2).
 2. The projection optical system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second optical path deflector disposed in the other position and configured to defect the optical path.
 3. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein f1 is a focal length of the first lens group, f23 is a combined focal length of a combination of the second lens group and the third lens group, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expressions (3) and (4) below: 1.5<|f1/f|<2.5  (3) 0.2<|f1/f23|<0.6  (4).
 4. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein f2 is a focal length of the second lens group, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expression (5) below: 4.0<f2/f<12.0  (5).
 5. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein the third lens group includes a reduction-side first lens arranged on a position closest to a reduction side of thethird lens group, the reduction-side first lens is a positive lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side of the third lens group, and f3 is a focal length of the third lens group, and the projection optical system satisfies Conditional Expression (6) below: 3.0<f3/f<8.0  (6).
 6. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first optical path deflector is a mirror.
 7. The projection optical system according to claim 1, wherein the first optical path deflector is a prism.
 8. The projection optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second optical path deflector is a mirror.
 9. The projection optical system according to claim 2, wherein the second optical path deflector is a prism.
 10. A projector comprising: the projection optical system according to claim 1; a light source; and a light modulator disposed in a reduction-side image plane of the projection optical system, the light modulator modulating light emitted from the light source to form a projection image having distortion which corrects a distortion aberration generated in the projection optical system, wherein the projector projects an enlarged image in which the distortion aberration is corrected to an enlargement-side image plane of the projection optical system. 